ADDICTIVE READS: The Winter Gift Collection - SMASHWORDS Edition by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC058000, FICTION / Holidays, FIC027020, FICTION / Romance / Contemporary, FIC027080, FICTION / Romance / Collections & Anthologies, FIC022040, FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths, FIC027000, FICTION / Romance / General, FIC027250, FICTION / Romance / Romantic Comedy, FIC025000, FICTION / Psychological, FIC045000, FICTION / Family Life, FIC012000, FICTION / Ghost, FIC027040, FICTION / Gothic, FIC044000, FICTION / Contemporary Women, FIC003000, FICTION / Anthologies (multiple authors), FIC000000, FICTION / General, FIC039000, FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical, FAM020000, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / Fatherhood, FAM015000, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Divorce & Separation, FAM014000, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Death, Grief, Bereavement, JUV039160, JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Suicide, OCC032000, BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Angels & Spirit Guides
Publisher: Seraphim Press
Published: 2014-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Epilogue

Eric wound his way through the crowd, aiming for the garbage can to toss empty coffee and hot chocolate cups. The mall teemed with holiday shoppers and fighting his way back to his girls wasn’t exactly a walk at the zoo. But the effort was oh so worth it.

He paused to watch the three of them where they waited by the fudge shop. Whether dressed for business, or casual in jeans and a sweater like now, Marissa never failed to take his breath away. Next to her, with carbon-copy honey-blond hair and blue eyes, Heather was sure to be just as beautiful when she grew up, the lucky little girl. And Reese…well, he may be a little biased, but she was as perfect as an angel sent from heaven.

Someone bumped into him from behind. The person continued without looking up or even bothering with an apology.

“Happy Holidays,” Eric offered with a smile before resuming his trek. He’d definitely been blessed over the last five months, so he’d be the last one to act like Scrooge.

Eric stepped up behind Marissa and wrapped his arms around her to rest his chin on her shoulder. “Anyone want dessert?”

Marissa turned her head with a positive, “Mmm,” and he pressed a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“Now or later?” he whispered.

“Both.”

“I’ll have a cookie, please,” Heather said.

“Daaadd,” Reese whined. “You said we could go see Santa now.” She made it sound as if getting a treat would take hours instead of only two minutes.

Eric stepped back to pull some money from his pocket. “You want a cookie or not?”

She looked at the display case full of fudge, cookies and other treats. “Yeah.”

When Eric paused and lifted his eyebrows, she corrected her response with a small smile.

“Yes, please.”

Five minutes later they took their place in the line to see Santa Claus. It didn’t take long to understand why the wait was so long, even though it was only the weekend before Thanksgiving. The mall had gone all-out on the North Pole set-up, including real trees to give off a fragrant pine scent, fake snow falling gently in the background, and most impressive, a live reindeer stalled just to the left behind St. Nick so the antlered animal would be in all the pictures.

The girls munched their cookies and found something new every couple seconds to point out to each other or their parents. Five months and it still amazed him how little the two fought, especially since in August Nina had agreed to joint custody and they now spent a lot of time together.

“So what did Mark have to say when he called earlier?” Marissa asked as they shuffled along.

“He ETS’s in two weeks and should be home a few days later.”

“ETS?”

“Sorry—military speak for expiration term of service. Once they process all the paperwork, he’ll be all set. He won’t make it for Thanksgiving, but he’ll be here for Christmas.”

“It’ll be nice to have him around more.”

“So long as he behaves,” Eric agreed, watching the kids in line ahead of them.

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